Latch for mail boxes or the like



F. SCHWARZ I LATCH FOR MAIL BOXES OR THE LIKE Patented Feb. 17, 1925.

UNITED? sr A1T1ES- Parent OFFICE.

FEEDINAND SGHWARZ, O1? SI'KEEGYG'rf-ltll', WISCONSIN.

LATCH FOE"ILTAIL BUXIES. 033% THE LIKE.

Application-filed April 14, 192 i. Serial No. 706,487.

a citizenof the Unitedfitates, and resident of Sheboygan, in the county of Sheboygan and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and. useful Improvements in Latches for Mail Boxes or'th'e like; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

This invention relates to mail boxes.

Objects of this invention are to provide a mail box which is so constructed that a. latch is provided and associated with the box as a unitary structure, in which. the latch and the door to the mail box are so related that manipulation of the latch, that is, moving it to unlocking position automatically throws the door open, and in which the mere closing of the door automatically throws the latch into locking position.

Further objects are to provide a mail box which consists of a minimum number of parts. which is so constructed that rain is prevented from enterin and which may be cheaply and readily manufactured.

An. embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which z Figure 1 is a side elevation partly broken away showing the box in closed position.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the box open.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1.

The box comprises a main compartment formed of an upper and side member which is of generally arched formation, as indicated at 1, and which is provided with downwardly turned lower flanged portions 2 adapted to be secured by nailing or other suitable means to a support 3. Obviously, the box could be attached to the support by nailing or otherwise securing the device through the flat bottom portion 4.

A door 5 of the same general contour as the cross-sectional. contour of the box is provided and is equipped with marginal flanges 6, the lower ends of which are connected by means of a pintle 7 with the body of the box. It is to be noted that the support 3 is stopped short of the overhanging edge 4' of the bottom. as may be seen from Figures 1 and. 2, and that this overhanging portion constitutes a stop for the door, as shown in Figure 2, thus holding the door in horizontal position when it is open. It is to be noted that the flanges 6 are inturned, as indicated at 6 in Figure 2, to provide a channel like portion adapted to receive the outer edge of the body part 1 of the box.

The upper portion of the box adjacent its front end is provided with a plate or similar meinberfi equipped with upstanding lugsE). it shield 10 extends upwardly and forwardly over the rear and a portion of the upper curved part of these lugs 9. The latch comprises a body portion 11 which is fitted between the lugs 9 and is pivotally secured thereto by means of a pintle or pivot pin 12. This body portion is provided with a rearwardly extending arm 13 terminating in a hook or stop 14 which in closed position lies beneath the upper edge of the body of the box, as shown in Figure 1. This body portion also has a forwardly extending neck portion to which a relatively massive weight 16 is integrally secured. This weight is provided with an inwardly directed projection or tongue 17 which normally engages the door 5 when in closed position, as shown in Figure 1. and thus locks the door against forward motion.

When it is desired to unlatch and open the box, it is merely necessary for the operator to grasp the weight 16, which in itself con-- stitutes a handle, and rock this weight rearwardly into the position shown in Figure 2. Under these conditions the latching tongue 17 is moved out of engagement with the front of the door 5 and the projection 14:, upon continued motion of the latch, strikes the inner portion of the door and rocks the door outwardly into open position.

When it is desired to close and latch the door. it is merely necessary to swing the door into closed position as the inner side of the door will contact with the projection 14. and will rock the weight and all the associated parts into the position shown in Fig" ure 1 in an automatic manner, thus again locking the door without necessitatingthe manipulation of the latch. 7

It will thus be seen that a very simple and attractive form of mail box has been pro vided which may be readily opened by a simple manipulation of the latching means. and which will automatically latch itself when the door is closed. without the use of any springs. cams, sliding members, or similar parts. lt hen it is considered that these mail bores stand out in the weather throughout the entire year, it is readily appreciated that this simple and eifective construction is eminently suited to such use and materially simplifies and advances the art of mail box construction.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that the invention may be variously e1n bodied and is, therefore, to be limited only as claimed.

I claim:

A mail box comprising a body portion, a door closing; one end thereof and pivoted adjacent its lower end to said body portion, a latch pivoted to the upper forward part of said body portion, and having a weighted handle and an inwardly directed latching tongue adapted to be positioned in front of said door when said door is closed, said latch having a i arm extending inwardly of said box and provided with a projecting member adapted to contact with the inner side of said door when said latch is rocked rearwardly to thus throw said door open, said weight being so related to the pivot point of said latch as to occupy positions on opposite sides of said pivot point when said latch is in its locking and unlocking position.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing l have hereunto set my hand at Sheboygan, in the county of Sheboygan and State of i i consin.

FERDINAND SCHVVARZ. 

